Main navigation

My Week in Westminster

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of a North West Ambulance Service paramedic with the Covid-19 virus this week.

The paramedic is one of more than 100 health workers who have bravely given their lives while saving others from this terrible, terrible virus.

All of our NHS staff, wherever they work, and those in the wider care sector, are performing heroics on behalf of us all and they have my total and utter gratitude and respect.

All of our key workers are going the extra mile and then some to look after us; especially our Armed Forces who have helped build the Nightingale Hospitals and deliver tonnes and tonnes of equipment across the country, and the police for helping ensure we are safe in these strange times.

I have been in touch with our healthcare and resilience leaders to check on the levels of PPE in the area and I am told supplies are coming through. I also wrote to the Secretary of State for Health to ask for assurances on the supply of PPE to care homes and staff; while some have raised concerns, I have been given a clear pathway for these homes to follow to ensure they get the protective equipment which their staff must have.

We must also concentrate on the positives. It is great to read the stories of those who have been hospitalised by this virus and who have made a full recovery, and I am constantly delighted to see the level of support for our NHS and its wonderful workers.

I understand we may still be a couple of weeks away from what is expected to be the peak of infections here in Lancashire so it is more important than ever that we all follow the guidelines and stay at home. Only go out for exercise or food shopping, and take time to telephone or use social media to contact friends, neighbours and family.